Fishing Season: Spring

Jersey Shore - NJ

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temperature 51°

Temp:

51°

Inshore Temp:

55

Offshore Temp:

55

The Average Angler's Tip of the Week

Higher tides at first and last light will have water around and the dropping tide hitting before and after work. It's been a slow spring, with all kinds of different weather, and hopefully things stabilize a bit and get things going.

Directions open in app

Map of Jersey Shore

Tide data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 5/6/24

Fish are getting active, bays and rivers most, then some fish out front. It's all about the striped bass although bluefish have started to invade the inlets and rivers.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/6/24

Find moving water, change flies if they're not producing. Move around. These early fish aren't locked in. Bring some wire leader if you happen to get into the bluefish, and don't tie on your prize flies when they are around.

Current Conditions as of 5/6/24

Water temps are moving upward, most waters now mid to low 50's in the ocean to 60's in the bays and rivers.

Local Species Available Spring

  • Fish Icon

    Striped bass

The Average Angler's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Cowen's Baitfish N/A 1/0
Bucktail Deceiver N/A 2/0
Saltwater Popper Chart/White 4/0
Ozzie's Sand Eel N/A 1
Softy Minnow N/A 1
Premium Bonefish Selection Green/White 2-2/0

Cowen's Baitfish

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The Average Angler's Recommended Gear

Description: About Jersey Shore

This report covers the stretch from Island Beach State Park north along the Ocean and Monmouth County coastline around Sandy Hook into the Raritan Bay. Here fly anglers can experience great fly fishing either off the groins and beaches into the Altlantic Ocean or along the jetties and inlets into large rivers or the flats and sod banks of the back bays. It's a challenging fishery and success depends on the anglers knowledge on the location of the fish and bait, moon and tide schedules, and the current weather conditions including air and water temps and wind direction. Throughout the year anglers can target striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, false albacore, and flounder. The best way for anglers to learn this fishery is to get a map and take a ride and then get out of the car and take a walk. New Jersey beaches can get pretty busy at times and it's not uncommon to be joined quickly by several other anglers once the "word" gets out that fish (or a fish!) are in the area. But those same anglers are a great resource to ask about current conditions and what has been happening lately. While you are out scouting pay attention to the beach and bay structure depending on where the tides are. Remembering these mental notes when you return during a different tide to fish can give you great insight as to where the fish may be. Be careful if you scout or fish alone as drop offs and tides can be dangerous. Beach anglers are notorious for going to a location, jumping out of the car, looking at the water through binoculars and either getting set up to fish or driving to another location. If you pull into a full parking lot or street along the ocean jammed with trucks or cars, there's a chance something may have just happened, is happened, or might happen. Locations that you should check on for this fishery, Island Beach State Park, Manasquan Inlet, the beaches along Ocean and Monmouth Counties, Sandy Hook, the Sandy Hook and Raritan Bays, and the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers.

Nearest Airport:

Newark Liberty International , 40 miles

Bait Recommendations:

Bunker, mole crabs, herring, some white bait